SARACENS have an unfamiliar look about them these days.

They have soldiered to a brace of timid victories in their last three Premiership matches with one glaring absentee on the teamsheet - Kevin Sorrell.

The evergreen defensive linchpin has been sidelined since damaging his ankle during the first quarter against Glasgow Warriors last month.

And with fellow centre Andy Farrell being ruled out for three weeks after suffering a rib injury in last Sunday's defeat at Newcastle, Sarries boss Alan Gaffney was praying Sorrell would be ready to return to action against Harlequins tomorrow.

However, despite enjoying some running sessions in training this week Sorrell is still having trouble turning at pace. And with cover at outside centre thin on the ground Gaffney has decided not to risk one of his most consistent performers as they approach the business end of the season.

Sitting in the stands is an unfamiliar environment for Sorrell, who has been the most frequent starter at the club by some distance over the past three years, clocking up 7,494 minutes. He has certainly earned his money.

Indeed, the last time he failed to make the starting line up for four successive matches was back when Dan Harris and Thomas Castaignede were the preferred midfield enforcers three years ago.

Only a groin injury suffered against Quins in 2003 has kept him out of action longer in 13 seasons with the Men in Black. However, Sorrell would be climbing the walls if he endured another four month lay off as his current month-long absence is already driving him potty.

"It's been massively frustrating," said the 30-year-old. "There is nothing worse than being injured because your hanging around all the time unable to have any effect on the games.

"The last time I had an injury which kept me out for a while was the groin injury in 2003, so I have been pretty lucky since. But it's very annoying not being able to do anything. The injury has been niggly and is still not 100%."

Sorrell watched Sarries' nudge past struggling Worcester Warriors at Vicarage Road a fortnight ago while their inability to keep momentum for 80 minutes was evident in defeat at Kingston Park.

However, Sorrell is all too familiar with the inconsistent Sarries teams of yesteryear and has backed his teammates to shine against Quins.

"Against Worcester we didn't really control the ball well for any length of time," he added. "The try was quite an easy one to score and we just failed to build up any pressure on them.

"Everyone is very honest with themselves after a defeat, so the morale in the squad is still very good."

He also scoffed at suggestions Sarries' indifferent performances of late could be allied to the fast approaching Heineken and EDF cup clashes with the Ospreys.

"One of the things Gaff tried to change last year was the mentality of if you start looking too far in the future you are not going to get anything out of your current games. So there is definitely no chance the guys have one eye on the cup fixtures."

Sorrell, whose rehabilitation programme has included extra gym and pool sessions, believes the Men in Black will have to be on their guard against Quins who have recorded just one Premiership win on their travels in a year and have only beaten Sarries at The Vic once, back in 1999. He is also aware of the threat posed by ousted England scrum half Andy Gomarsall.

"Quins beat Worcester last weekend and were pretty impressive in the last 15 minutes," commented the Sarries vice-captain. "They put together some neat phases of play and have got some great players like Tosh Masson and Danny Care.

"As for Andy, it's strange how he's fallen down the pecking order but I'm sure he will be fired up."

Rodd Penney has taken Sorrell's place for the last two games with the majority of his eight tries this season coming from the wing.

"Rodd played at centre for London Irish very effectively, as I know only too well as he made me look a bit silly on a couple of occasions," Sorrell recalled. "Adam Powell is also more than capable of doing a job there. You get to learn about a player's traits the more you play with them."